Joe Flacco: Anquan Boldin should 'stick to his guns'

Mar. 10, 2013
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Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Anquan Boldin, left, and quarterback Joe Flacco run off the field after Boldin scored on a Flacco pass in 2010. Flacco says he supports Boldin in his contract dispute with the team. / Evan Vucci, AP

by Robert Klemko, USA TODAY Sports

by Robert Klemko, USA TODAY Sports

TEMPE, Ariz. -- Having once taken a stand and delivered on his idea that he should be paid like an elite quarterback, Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco supports teammate Anquan Boldin's desire to be paid in full by the Super Bowl champions.

Boldin told USA TODAY Sports he was unwilling to take a pay cut from the Ravens in the final year of his contract, as a "matter of principles." And while Flacco would like to see the wide receiver back in 2013, he sees the bottom line, too.

"Without him, we don't win the Super Bowl. He's a huge part of this team and someone I want to see back," Flacco told USA TODAY Sports. "Obviously, when you're a player of his caliber, you believe you're worth a number and that's what you should get. He's going to stick to his guns, and that's the way it should be."

The Ravens quarterback and wide receiver participated in former NFL quarterback Kurt Warner's "Ultimate Football Experience Presented by Amway's Nutrilite" flag football charity event at Arizona Cardinals headquarters on Saturday. After three seasons together in Baltimore, Flacco says the relationship was hitting its stride.

Boldin caught 65 passes for 921 yards last season and had six catches for 104 yards and a touchdown in a 34-31 Super Bowl victory over the San Francisco 49ers.

"He was really important down the stretch," Flacco said. "He's a guy who knows what he's doing. He's done it over and over again in this league. We just really started to hit it and really attack."

Boldin, 32, is the second-oldest player on Baltimore's active roster, behind linebacker Brendon Ayanbadejo, 36. Boldin's cap number for 2013 is $7.531 million, and the Ravens are trying to clear room to retain projected free-agent linebacker Dannell Ellerbe, among other moves.

Boldin turned down the Ravens' bid to restructure his deal, and is preparing to become an unrestricted free agent if released, according to a person with knowledge of the negotiations. The person spoke to USA TODAY Sports on the condition of anonymity because talks were ongoing.

Flacco said he supports Boldin whether he stays or goes.

"This league is about going out and performing and playing well and having fun doing so," Flacco said. "But it's also our livelihood and it's about getting paid. So teams are going to let go of you as soon as they can. So when you're playing, you have to make sure you can get as much money as you can because that's what's going to take care of your family down the road."